New routes from Midway to Toronto, Minneapolis

October 2, 2008 9:31:26 AM PDT

CHICAGO --

Southwest Airlines is introducing its first new route in over a year. Next March, Southwest begins flights from Midway to Minneapolis. The airline is stepping into a Chicago-Midway route that had been fiercely competitive until AirTran Airways, another low-cost carrier, abandoned it earlier this year.

Starting November 12, Porter Airlines of Canada will offer non-stop service between Toronto and Midway. It will have three daily roundtrip flights each weekday, two flights on Saturdays and Sundays.